Thunder pick up Lu Dort’s $17.7M option, sidestep 2026 free-agency roulette
Oklahoma City avoids 2026 free-agency chaos by securing Dort’s services early; move cements wing depth before core rebuild ramps up.
7 million team option for the 2026-27 season on Monday, locking the 27-year-old wing in through at least next year. The move guarantees Dort’s services and avoids a potential free-agency frenzy in 2026, when he would have become an unrestricted free agent. 5% from three.
By exercising the option now, Oklahoma City preserves flexibility elsewhere while keeping a proven defensive anchor on the wing. Dort ranked among the league’s top perimeter defenders, finishing 2023-24 in the 90th percentile for defensive efficiency per NBA Advanced Stats. His on-ball pressure and off-ball positioning anchor Oklahoma City’s defense, which ranked top-10 in defensive rating during the season.
